Water-temperature-independent faucet

ABSTRACT

An water-temperature-independent faucet includes a thermal-insulation core containing therein a water inlet and a water outlet, and being laterally formed with a socket that is communicated with the water inlet and the water outlet; a control valve deposited in the socket for selectively communicating the water inlet with the water outlet; a housing defining therein an accommodating space for receiving the thermal-insulation core; and an inlet conduit having one end fittingly engaged with the water inlet through an O-ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to faucets, and more particularly to a water-temperature-independent faucet, which, in virtue of a thermal-insulation core therein, prevents its metal housing from being heated by hot water flowing therethrough, thereby protecting a user from accident scalding by the metal housing.

2. Description of Related Art

Water is one of the most important supplies for ensuing healthy and convenient daily life. As the popularity of tap water has been high over the world, faucets are regarded not only as a tool for water supply, but also as a decorative element of interior design. For providing a touch of quality and value, faucets are typically made through metal casting or forging. However, since metal is of high thermal conductivity, when supplying hot water, particularly boiling water for drinking, a metal faucet tends to be heated. At this time, if a user unguardedly touches the heated faucet, he/she can be endangered by scalding.

Thus, it would be desirable to have a water-temperature-independent faucet that is safe to use, and has simple and light yet robust structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As described previously, the exiting faucets made through metal casting or forging tend to be heated by hot water and in turn scald the users. For remedying this problem, the present invention provides a water-temperature-independent faucet that is effective in protecting users from being scalded when using the faucet.

a water-temperature-independent faucet according to the present invention comprises:

a thermal-insulation core containing therein a water inlet and a water outlet, and being laterally formed with a socket that is communicated with the water inlet and the water outlet, respectively;

a control valve deposited in the socket for selectively communicating the water inlet with the water outlet;

a housing defining therein an accommodating space for receiving the thermal-insulation core; and

an inlet conduit having one end fittingly engaged with the water inlet through an O-ring.

Thereby, the thermal-insulation core in the disclosed water-temperature-independent faucet can effectively prevent heat of hot water from conducted to the housing, so the housing will not be heated and scald its user.

In addition, the thermal-insulation core may have its outer periphery formed with a plurality of ribs, so that the contact area between the thermal-insulation core and the housing is reduced to further restrain potential thermal conduction. These ribs are also effective in reducing the weight of the thermal-insulation core yet improving the structural strength of the thermal-insulation core, thereby saving manufacturing costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water-temperature-independent faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the faucet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the thermal-insulation core as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates operation of the faucet; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a water-temperature-independent faucet according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the present invention, a water-temperature-independent faucet comprises a thermal-insulation core 10, a control valve 20, a housing 30, an outlet conduit 40 and an inlet conduit 50.

The thermal-insulation core 10 is made of polyoxymethylene (POM) and has therein a water inlet 11 as well as a water outlet 12. The thermal-insulation core 10 is laterally formed with a socket 13 that is communicated with the water inlet 11 and with the water outlet 12, respectively. The outer periphery of the thermal-insulation core 10 is provided with a plurality of ribs 14. Therein, the water inlet 11 has its inner periphery formed with an annular groove 15.

The control valve 20 is deposited in the socket 13 for controlling water flow between the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12. Therein, the control valve 20 has a connecting channel 21 adjacent to the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12 (as shown in FIG. 4), and the connecting channel 21 is formed at an eccentric point in a cross-section of the control valve 20.

The housing 30 may be made by metal casting or forging, and defines therein an accommodating space 31 for receiving the thermal-insulation core 10. The housing 30 is laterally provided with a knob 32. The knob 32 is configured to drive the control valve 20 to rotate within the socket 13, so as to make the connecting channel 21 selectively connect the water inlet 11 with the water outlet 12.

The outlet conduit 40 has one end fixed to the water outlet 12 of the thermal-insulation core 10 and is partially jutting out of the housing 30.

The inlet conduit 50 is made of a stainless steel, and has its outer periphery formed with at least one external thread so that it can be combined with an external water source through screwing. Therein, the inlet conduit 50 has one end fittingly encircled by an elastic O-ring 41, which can be fittingly received in the annular groove 15 of the water inlet 11, so that the inlet conduit 50 can be fittingly engaged with the water inlet 11.

With the configuration described above, the operation of the disclosed water-temperature-independent faucet will be further explained below.

Since the connecting channel 21 is formed at the eccentric point in the cross-section of the control valve 20, when the control valve 20 is such posed that the connecting channel 21 is not connected with any one of the water inlet 11 and the water outlet 12, water flow is stopped by the control valve 20 from flowing to the water outlet 12 and coming out from the outlet conduit 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, the knob 32, when rotated, drives the control valve 20 to rotate within the socket 13, so that the connecting channel 21 connects the water inlet 11 with the water outlet 12. At this time, water entering from the inlet conduit 50 flows through the water inlet 11, the connecting channel 21 and the water outlet 12 to be accessed by a user at the outlet conduit 40. In virtue of the thermal-insulation core 10, the supplied water has no direct contact with the housing 30 throughout the above-mentioned route, so the possibility that the housing 30 is heated by the hot water flowing therethrough can be minimized.

Furthermore, by having the ribs 14 formed at its periphery, the thermal-insulation core 10 can reduce the contact area with the housing 30, so as to further reducing thermal conductivity. Even when the faucet is used to supply boiling water for a sustained period of time, the housing 30 will not be seriously heated. Meanwhile, these ribs 14 are helpful to improve the structural strength of the thermal-insulation core 10 and reduce its weight, thereby saving manufacturing costs.

As shown in FIG. 5, the thermal-insulation core 10 is compatible with a faucet housing 30′ of a different profile, without limitation.

The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments and it is understood that the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, as the contents disclosed herein should be readily understood and can be implemented by a person skilled in the art, all equivalent changes or modifications which do not depart from the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water-temperature-independent faucet, comprising: a thermal-insulation core containing therein a water inlet and a water outlet, and being laterally formed with a socket that is communicated with the water inlet and the water outlet, respectively; a control valve deposited in the socket for selectively communicating the water inlet with the water outlet; a housing defining therein an accommodating space for receiving the thermal-insulation core; and an inlet conduit having one end fittingly engaged with the water inlet through an O-ring.
 2. The water-temperature-independent faucet of claim 1, wherein the water inlet has an inner periphery formed with an annular groove for receiving the O-ring mounted around the end of the inlet conduit.
 3. The water-temperature-independent faucet of claim 2, wherein the inlet conduit is made of stainless steel.
 4. The water-temperature-independent faucet of claim 3, wherein the inlet conduit has an outer periphery formed with at least one external thread.
 5. The water-temperature-independent faucet of claim 1, wherein the thermal-insulation core has an outer periphery formed with a plurality of ribs.
 6. The water-temperature-independent faucet of claim 1, wherein the control valve has a connecting channel configured to connect the water inlet and the water outlet, and connecting channel is formed at an eccentric point in a cross-section of the control valve.
 7. The water-temperature-independent faucet of claim 6, wherein the housing includes a knob that is configured to be rotate in order to drive the control valve to make the connecting channel selectively connect the water inlet and the water outlet.
 8. The water-temperature-independent faucet of claim 1, wherein the thermal-insulation core is made of polyoxymethylene (POM). 